Benjamin Wayne's Rise to Power

Chapter 7

The server stiffened at Benjamin’s words, the polite smile on his face freezing like wet paint in cold air. For a moment he stood there stunned, as if he had misheard.

Ryan made a choking sound that turned into a laugh. “The highest tier? Imperial? Benjamin, do you even know what that costs?”

The other students laughed with him. 

The server cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “Sir, perhaps I should repeat the price so there is no misunderstanding. The Imperial service begins at twelve thousand per head. With your group size, that would come to—”

Ryan cut in. “He knows the number. He just doesn’t understand it.”

Benjamin did not look away from the server. “I said Imperial.”

Gasps moved through the group. 

The server blinked slowly, then inclined his head. “Very well, sir. If you insist.”

But before he could finish inputting the selection on his tablet, Ryan let out a hard breath. “Hold on. Hold on.” He stepped forward with a swagger that bounced off the marble floors. “Benjamin, you do realize how this works, right? We agreed to split the bill.”

Benjamin nodded. “I recall.”

“So if you pick Imperial, half of that falls on you.” Ryan snickered. “You really think you can afford that?”

Benjamin lifted one shoulder. “Of course. Though I wonder if you can."

Something flickered behind Ryan’s smirk. It wasn’t anger or pride. It was hesitation. A quick, thin line of uncertainty that slipped through before he could hide it.

He covered it with a laugh. “Fine. Then I’ll pick first. If you want to act like a big spender, let’s see how you handle it.”

He turned to the server. “Bring your best vintage wine. Premium—the one that costs two thousand.” He shot Benjamin a sideways sneer. “Let everyone here taste how real luxury feels.”

The server nodded and entered the order.

Benjamin raised an eyebrow. Then he tapped the menu on the tablet. “Five thousand. I’ll take the next tier.”

Ryan’s neck snapped toward him. “Are you serious?”

Benjamin didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

Someone behind Ryan choked on their own breath. “Five thousand. For a bottle. He’s mad.”

Ryan leaned in with a low whisper. “Where are you getting the money? Did you take loans? Or did you borrow from people who don’t know any better?”

“You can think whatever you like,” Benjamin said.

Ryan laughed in disbelief. “I can't believe you would take on debt just to go against me?”

Benjamin’s eyes met his. “I have no reason not to.”

A small twitch pulled at the corner of Ryan’s jaw. “Fine,” he said. “Let’s see whose money runs out first. My funds or your borrowing power.”

He stepped away and pulled out his phone. His fingers flew across the screen as he dialed. The call connected after a few rings.

“Dad,” Ryan said, lowering his voice but not enough to hide the desperation creeping in. “I need you to transfer some money to me.”

There was a pause. A long one.

Then excitement seemed to fill Ryan’s face. “Yes. Yes, it’s to humiliate him. I’m putting him in his place.” Another pause. Ryan’s grin widened. “Sure. Send it. I’ll make it worth it.”

The call ended. His phone chimed almost instantly with a notification.

Ryan spun around with renewed confidence. “Time to raise the stakes.” He slapped the server’s tablet twice. “Ten thousand bottle. Open one for everyone here. Let’s see him keep up.”

A few gasps echoed through the lobby. Everyone looked starstruck, like they were watching history.

The server looked between them. “Sir, that is a very large amount.”

“I know,” Ryan said proudly. “Do it.”

Benjamin didn’t blink. He simply tapped the same wine on the screen. “One for every person at the table.”

The air froze.

Someone grabbed Ryan’s arm. “Is he crazy?”

Ryan’s breath came out in a tight hiss. “He is. Completely.”

He pointed at the server. “Cancel all of that. No wine. None of it.”

Before the server could react, Benjamin stepped forward with a calmness that tightened the entire room.

“No,” Benjamin said. “You will not cancel anything.”

Ryan bristled. “And, who do you think you are to tell me what to do?”

Benjamin moved so fast the sound cracked. His hand struck Ryan’s cheek hard, and the impact echoed across the marble floor. Ryan staggered back, eyes wide, mouth open in silent shock.

Benjamin’s voice stayed steady. “I am the one hosting today. You don’t get to cancel anything.”

A heavy silence followed. No one moved. No one breathed.

Chris stared like he had witnessed a public execution. A few of the frat boys traded looks that held both fear and fascination.

Then, one voice broke through. “Don’t cancel it,” someone drawled with full amusement. “Wasn’t Ryan bragging all week about how rich he is?”

More voices joined. “Yeah, don’t cancel. What happened to that confidence?”

“Thought you were the prince of this campus."

“Yeah, don't tell me this broke guy is richer than you, Prince.”

Their laughter built. None of them cared about the price since none of them were paying.

Ryan stood stiff, eyes burning, but he didn’t slap back. Not with the weight of humiliation pressing down on him.

The group followed the server to a private dining hall. The space shimmered with hanging lights and velvet-lined walls. Golden cutlery gleamed against white porcelain plates. The group threw themselves into their seats, already buzzing with excitement.

Benjamin sat near the center. Ryan dropped into the seat across from him, face stiff and pale. Sweat clung to the back of his neck. He looked like someone pushed to the edge of a cliff.

Course after course arrived. Platters of seafood that cost more than a month’s rent. Sides plated like works of art. Wines that sparkled under the chandeliers.

Only one person couldn’t enjoy any of it.

Ryan.

The others laughed, toasted, took pictures. They devoured everything in sight because why wouldn’t they. This wasn’t their problem.

Ryan forced bites past his tightening throat. He wiped his hands repeatedly on the napkin. “This is insane,” he muttered. “There is no way he can pay half of this.”

The server reappeared after dessert with a tablet in hand.

“Here is the final bill.” His voice carried the weight of the number. “Seven hundred thousand in total.”

The room went quiet. Every laugh, every clink, every whisper stopped.

Ryan swallowed hard. His voice came out strained. “Three hundred fifty thousand. There is no way he can borrow that much. I don’t care how many loan apps he tries.”

He pointed at Benjamin. “Let’s see you try to cover your share.”

Benjamin did not argue. He did not talk back. He simply reached into his pocket, pulled out his bank card, and handed it to the server.

The room erupted in whispers.

“He’s still pretending.”

“No way it works.”

“He’s finished.”

Ryan leaned forward, bracing for triumph.

The server held the card. He looked at Benjamin again. Then he swiped.

A few seconds ticked by.

Then the small machine beeped.

The server blinked. Then he straightened with perfect posture. “Payment complete.”

The entire room fell silent.